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Florida briefly

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 22, 2006

Three found dead in home after eight-hour standoff

MIAMI - Three relatives were found dead, including a man who apparently killed himself before police stormed the home after an eight-hour standoff, officials said.

Alfredo Blanco, 20, had been talking periodically Wednesday with Miami police negotiators but stopped. After several hours, police fired tear gas into the home and entered to find Blanco and two women dead.

The women were identified as Blanco's grandmother, Amelia Gomez, 67, and his sister, Damarys Blanco, 19. Police would not provide details Thursday on how they died but said the two women had apparently been dead for at least a day.

The standoff began after a relative of Gomez's called police because she hadn't heard from her in several days. Looking through drawn window blinds, police saw a man armed with a rifle or shotgun and noticed a foul odor, and a SWAT team and bomb squad were brought in.

Cuban migrant dies; 16 others make it to Florida

MIAMI - A Cuban migrant died in an attempt to reach the United States, but 16 others he was traveling with made it to the Florida Keys, Coast Guard officials said Thursday.

The group reached Marquesas Key early Wednesday after apparently crossing the Florida Straits in a rickety, old vessel. The Coast Guard learned in interviews that one of the group was missing.

The body of a man in his 20s was recovered at sea a few hours later, Petty Officer James Judge said. His identity was not released.

The remaining 16 migrants were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol in Marathon. Under U.S. policy, Cubans who reach U.S. shores like this group are usually allowed to stay.

Hulk Hogan asks Congress to 'legdrop' animal fighting

MIAMI BEACH - Wrestler Hulk Hogan has a new opponent: those who organize animal fights.

He sent a video message Thursday to all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In it, he says laws against dog fighting and cockfighting aren't tough enough.

The Hulk slips into wrestling lingo, saying offenders should be hit with a "felonious legdrop."

Hogan issued the message in cooperation with the Humane Society.

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 01:11:59]